The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-19
Green Smiths Arbitrary Ruling in Re-
gard to Questions as to His Title.
A Volu ltary Effort Made to Compromise 70
litical Controversies During Which the
Contests Are Held in Abeyance-Notes.


both houses to apply the same dilatory tactics at
The same time About the time Senator Fowler |
introduced resolution looking to separate
vote for United States Senator. which, after re-
citing that it had been customary to so vote at
noon, provided for postponement until 2
Sclock, resolution to the same effect was
adopted in the House. There was oppo-
sition to Senator Fowler's resolution. but
when Senator Bailey said THAT the House.
In the meantime, might do something that
was pertinent" it ceased, and the majority
agreed to the, postponement Its real purpose
was to allow the committee on elections time to
fabricate an excuse for the expulsion of Senator
Kennedy, and for this report the majority of the
Senate waited patiently until near noon, when,
4 being certain that nothing to this end would
appear until afternoon motion to adjourn pre-
vailed. Two previous efforts to adjourn had
been made by Republicans, but it was not until
Senator Day Democrat put the thing in
shape, that this majority thought it worth while
10 take such step.
Previous to this an incident or two occurred
shat brought the Democrats to record they pre-
2erred to avoid. Senator Winter had purpose
in the form Of preamble and resolution that
produced friction. 1t read:
Whereas. The Senate on the 9th day of January
1887, declared. that the Hon. Aonzo q. Smith, Sen
Rtor from the counties of Jennings Clark and Scott
was recognized and elected President of the Sem
ste OF Indiana succeed to the vacancy in such Of
fee caused by the acceptance by Lieutenant governor
Manson of the Office of collector of internal revenue
whereas. The Senate has further declared that the
ELECTION BY the people on the I'd day of November.
asse 81 Robert s. to fill the vacancy in
ceptanee Of federal Office by said Manson. was in
valid and therefore that said Robertson would be
exercise the constitutional functions Of such Office of
presiding over the Senate as its President, and
Whereas Said Alonzo G. Smith has ever since con-
Senate which is function attached by the constitu
ton to the Office OF Lieutenant governor and
Whereas, The Constitution expressly provides that
20 person charged with official duties under de-
tartmeat fshs government shall exercise any of rhe
provided and especially provides that the President
of the Senate shall only vote in committee of the
whole or in case of tie; therefore,
Resolved That it is the of the Senate that said
Hon. Alonzo g. Smith. while acting President of
the Senass, is entitled to vote Senator but
and therefore that the Secretary be directed to omit
his IL calling the roll of Senators. and only to
call it in cass Of tie.
Making use of the advantage that motion to
referis not debatable. q Senator of the majority
moved that it be sent to the judiciary commit
tee, but Senator Winter managed to introduce
few words relative to Senator Smiths position
Constitutionally he could be recognized. at best,
as only President pro tenn. Can the Senator
said Senator Smith, in the chair. prove that
anywhere in the ConstitutionP
Eyes, sirn
Find it. Them was the peremptory order,
and when Senator Winter began to read the sec
ton Senator Smith interrupted him with: sAh,
Read tho section" and the Senator did
It, closing with: sAnd shall be elected
President for the occasion"-the occa-
zion referring to an election of Presi-
dent pro tenn in the absence of the Lieutenant
governor. II take it, and it 10 SO understood By
the best legal authority" continued Senator
Winter, that for the occasion means for the
time-a translation of the Latin pro tempors."
TT is 8 very poor translation" replied Senator
Smith, and upon this the resolution went to the
committee on judiciary During the controversy
between Senators Smith and Winter, the former
alluded to the resolution 'as being part Of the
proceedings in making pretended case for the
wards called the Senator's attention to this refer
ence, which WAS an imputation, he thought, or
the purposes of the minority, although he die
not think the Senator in the Chair designed it al
such. Senator Trppet arose to point Of order
but before he could state it Senator Smith dis
claimed any intention of rejecting on the mi
,ority, and withdrew the expression.
message from abe House inviting the Ser
ste to unite with it In joint convention toda,
loon in the House, that chamber was NOR
,ommodious and that such meeting was sus
aimed by a long line of precedents wa
,ummarily disposed of by referring it to
special committee consisting of Senators Trip
petit, Logsdon and Winter Senator Campbell
liking leave to introduce resolution, led tn
Democrats to expect another series OF disagree
lble facts. They could not very well shut on
he request without bringing about scene, an
hat they apparently tried to shun in whateve
vas done. The preamble stated that the lax
bade the Senate of Indiana body Of fft
members, one-half OF whom TO be electe
sssd 1 ss ss and al wS sr0s sna
not resigned his place Senator, nor had h
been commissioned to any other Office He ha
been appointed TED. postmaster sann but he
confirmed BY the United States Senate. /. E
Mcdonald had BEEN in 1885, also elected Sens
sor from Allen and Whitley. therefore Their
we're fifty-one Senators chosen, which was in v
platon OF the statutes and the Constitution
The resolution wanted McDonald's name stricl
On from the rolls of the Senate. Without muc
ado over 1t the Democrats referred ii to the con
mittee on judiciary. Some time afterwards Sci
Ator Mcdonald asked to have the committee r
port at once, as he dad not wish to retain a sci
pyer which cloud rested; but Senator SInii
was IN no haste to present the request to Il
Senate. He disposed of it by saying, II do n
think the Senator'S right to the seat Is serious
impaired" and Senator Mcdonald was apparen
" satisfied with this interpretation OF the majo
ity, through the Senator whom it recognizes
che President of the Senate.
The House, on motion OF Representative Gar
liner, adopted the following resolution and ther
on moved tae previous question after it was rea
Resolved That 1t is the opinion of this House IL
prior the general election held in this State in
yember last, there was vacancy ii the Office of Lie
tenant governor of this State that could be filed
5lection and
Resolved. That. there having been several candida
nor said Office at said election, and Robert S. Robe
Don having received plurality of all the votes cast
the State for the various candidates for said Office
said election, and the Speaker Of the House havi
opened and published said vote according to law.
having declared Robert s. Robertson duly elected
sid Office aid he having taken the saith Of said Off